The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year. The allowance is payable for eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child increase is being paid. It is also payable to those between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
The allowance paid for each eligible child aged from 4 to 11 years on or before 30 September 2020 is €150 while an allowance of €275 is paid for each eligible child aged over 12 on or before 30 September 2020.
The rationale for the different income limits for lone parents and couples is to take account of the fact that there is an extra adult in the couple household who has to be provided for and the income limit for couples reflects this.
The allowance is not intended to meet the full costs for returning to school but to provide assistance towards the clothing and footwear costs. The 2020 Barnardos' back to school survey findings show that the 2020 back to school clothing and footwear allowance payment rates, of €150 for children aged 4-11 and 275 for children aged 12-22, meet the average cost of clothing and footwear for school children. The survey provided a snapshot of basic school costs indicating that the average cost of uniform and shoes for a senior infant pupil was €120, for a fourth-class pupil was €130, and for a first-year student in secondary school was €235.
Any increase in the back to school clothing and footwear allowance income limits would be subject to the budgetary process and Government approval.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.